The former mayor of Washington, D.C. who served prison time on a drug charge more than a decade ago claimed the Democratic nomination for a City Council seat on Tuesday, a spot that almost assures him of victory in November's general election.

Barry took 61 percent of the vote, based on preliminary results from 62 percent of precincts, beating the incumbent and five other challengers in the Democratic primary...

"It's not only a victory for Marion Barry but for God and the people of Ward 8," Barry told cheering supporters. "There's a new Ward 8 a-coming."